September 5, 2026
8-Night Bahamas Cruise
Departing from Galveston
From
$775
Price / day
$97
Carnival Dream|Ventura
Carnival Dream vs Ventura
Compare ship age, size, passenger capacity, itineraries and upcoming cruise prices.
Carnival Dream
Carnival Cruise Line
Check prices on CruiseDirectVS
Newer Ship
Carnival Dream
Built in 2009
1 year newer
Lower Price Per Day
Both ships are the same
More Spacious Ship
Carnival Dream
35.7 GT per guest
Gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity
Carnival Dream vs Ventura: Quick Comparison
Carnival Dream is the newer ship in this comparison. Built in 2009, it is 1 year newer than Ventura, which entered service in 2008. Carnival Dream is approximately 12% larger by gross tonnage at 130,000 GT. Carnival Dream also carries 346 more passengers. Carnival Dream has upcoming sailings in Bahamas and Western Caribbean. The sailings shown cover different itineraries, so the price per day figures are not a like-for-like comparison. Cruise fares vary significantly by itinerary, departure date and cabin availability, so any price difference should be treated as a snapshot rather than a permanent gap.
Ship Comparison
| Spec | Carnival Dream | Ventura |
|---|---|---|
| Year Built | 2009Newer | 2008 |
| Gross Tonnage | 130,000 GT | 116,017 GT |
| Passenger Capacity | 3,646 | 3,300 |
| Space per Passenger | 35.7 GT | 35.2 GT |
| Length | 306 m | 289.61 m |
| Decks | — | — |
| Cabins | — | — |
Key Differences: Carnival Dream vs Ventura
Age
Carnival Dream was built in 2009, making it 1 year newer than Ventura, which was built in 2008.
Size
At 130,000 GT, Carnival Dream is approximately 12% larger by gross tonnage than Ventura at 116,017 GT.
Passenger capacity
Carnival Dream carries up to 3,646 passengers compared with 3,300 aboard Ventura, a difference of 346 passengers.
Passenger space
Carnival Dream offers more space per passenger: 35.7 GT per guest, compared with 35.2 aboard Ventura. A higher passenger space ratio generally means less crowding in public areas.
Itineraries
The upcoming sailings shown for Carnival Dream (Bahamas and Western Caribbean) and Ventura currently cover different regions or departure ports.
Compare Ports of Call
Carnival Dream
8-Day The Bahamas from Galveston, TX
- Departure Port
- Galveston
- Region
- Bahamas
- Nights
- 8
- Round Trip
- Yes
- Day 1 · Sep 5, 2026Galveston
- Day 2 · Sep 6, 2026At Sea
- Day 3 · Sep 7, 2026Key West
- Day 4 · Sep 8, 2026Celebration Key™
- Day 5 · Sep 9, 2026RelaxAway
- Day 6 · Sep 10, 2026Nassau
- Day 7 · Sep 11, 2026At Sea
- Day 8 · Sep 12, 2026At Sea
- Day 9 · Sep 13, 2026Galveston
Dates are estimates based on the published departure date.
Upcoming Cruises & Prices
Carnival Dream
September 13, 2026
6-Night Western Caribbean Cruise
Departing from Galveston
From
$571
Price / day
$95
Ventura
Prices shown are starting fares and may change.
Which Ship Is Cheaper?
Carnival Dream
Average
$96 / day
VS
Ventura
Average
$0 / day
Cruise prices vary by departure date, itinerary, cabin type and availability.
Which Ship Should You Choose?
Choose Carnival Dream if…
- You prefer the newer ship.
- You prefer the larger ship by gross tonnage.
- You do not mind sailing on a ship with a higher passenger capacity.
- You value having more space per passenger (higher GT-per-guest ratio).
- You want to sail in Bahamas and Western Caribbean.
- Departing from Galveston works for your plans.
Choose Ventura if…
- You prefer the ship with the lower passenger capacity.
- You do not place as much importance on sailing on a newer ship than Carnival Dream.
Carnival Dream vs Ventura: Final Comparison Summary
Newer
Carnival Dream
Built in 2009
1 year newer
Bigger
Carnival Dream
130,000 GT
12% larger by gross tonnage
Lower Price Per Day
Both ships are the same
- Carnival Dream is 1 year newer.
- Carnival Dream is 12% larger by gross tonnage.
- Carnival Dream carries 346 more passengers.
- Carnival Dream offers more space per passenger (35.7 GT per guest).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is newer, Carnival Dream or Ventura?
Carnival Dream is newer. It was built in 2009, while Ventura was built in 2008, making Carnival Dream 1 year newer.
Which is bigger, Carnival Dream or Ventura?
Carnival Dream is larger by gross tonnage. It measures approximately 130,000 GT compared with Ventura at 116,017 GT.
Which ship carries more passengers?
Carnival Dream has a passenger capacity of approximately 3,646, compared with 3,300 for Ventura.
Which ship is more spacious, Carnival Dream or Ventura?
Carnival Dream has the higher passenger space ratio at 35.7 GT per passenger, versus 35.2 for Ventura. The ratio is gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity; a higher number means more ship space per guest.
Where does Carnival Dream sail?
The upcoming Carnival Dream sailings currently listed cover Bahamas and Western Caribbean, departing from Galveston.
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